Since his debut, Kofi Kingston has always been incredibly popular as a WWE Superstar. His positive attitude, fantastic wrestling ability, and his consistency have made him a true fan favorite over the years.
However, there always seemed to be a glass ceiling on Kofi Kingston, until 2019. This was the year he smashed through with KofiMania, creating one of the most incredible runs to the WWE Championship that there has ever been.
The Injury
Despite the fact that Kofi Kingston worked incredibly hard to earn the WWE Championship, the whole opportunity did kickstart by a fluke. Kofi Kingston was never originally going to be part of the 2019 Elimination Chamber match for the WWE Championship which started this journey.
However, an injury to Mustafa Ali took him out of the match and who was the man WWE turned to in the hour of need? Kofi Kingston. Of course, the reliable hand and quality performer himself, Kofi Kingston took Ali's spot.
The Gauntlet
That same night, WWE had a gauntlet match between the participants of the Elimination Chamber where the winner got to enter the Chamber last. While Kofi Kingston didn't win this match, he put in a real star-making performance.
Kofi was already a star at this point, but lasting an hour and putting on such an unbelievable performance just reminded fans how good he was. It started to get the wheels in motion here as the WWE Universe began to react.
The Elimination Chamber
Despite not being able to enter last, Kofi Kingston still competed inside the Elimination Chamber and put in a really impressive performance. With momentum behind him, the fans were desperate to see him win the big one.
However, Daniel Bryan wasn't quite ready to drop his title at this stage and in the end, the WWE Champion retained. It put sympathy behind him and Kofi coming so close only inspired the fans even more.
Fastlane Opportunity...Changed
After the Elimination Chamber PPV, Kofi stayed in the mix and actually pinned Daniel Bryan in a six-man tag match. He earned a singles title shot at Fastlane...or so he thought because Vince McMahon ended up changing that, providing the first obstacle for him.
Vince replaced him with Kevin Owens. Then, on the night itself, Vince sent Kofi to the ring for a match. This seemed like he was getting added, but instead, he was just a victim of Vince's mind games, as he was put in a handicap match with The Bar.
Kofi Becomes The B+ Player
It's interesting how this storyline really went full circle as far as Daniel Bryan is concerned. Vince McMahon used to call him a B+ player, but after Fastlane was all said and done, it was Kofi who Vince called a B+ player.
Vince and The New Day had an amazing promo segment where they all spoke from the heart. The passion was clear to see from New Day who was all desperate for
Gauntlet Run...Part #2
After that promo, Vince agreed to give Kofi Kingston an opportunity to earn a WrestleMania title match. However, he had to once again run the gauntlet against a variety of wrestlers.
Kingston did manage to do that, beating everyone...until Vince McMahon added a last-minute final opponent. WWE Champion, Daniel Bryan, who was sadly just too much for Kofi, meaning he had to keep scratching for his opportunities.
Relying On His Brothers
Vince McMahon finally caved in to pressure and gave Kofi Kingston one final opportunity to earn a title match at WrestleMania 35. However, Kofi wasn't to be involved as this time his New Day brothers were forced to go through their own gauntlet match.
They had to outlast the other teams involved in order to try and earn Kofi Kingston a title shot. However, that is exactly what the duo did as they won the incredible gauntlet match, securing Kofi a place at WrestleMania!
Kofi Wins The Big One!
KofiMania quite obviously took place at WrestleMania 35 itself. In what was one of the heavily promoted matches, Kofi Kingston finally got his WWE Championship match competing against Daniel Bryan.
The two men put on an incredible singles match where the veterans really went back and forth in an engaging contest. However, this was Kingston's moment, finally becoming the WWE Champion.
The Reaction
It is certainly worth noting in a moment itself, but the aftermath of Kofi Kingston winning the WWE Championship was massive. As the first-ever African American to win the title, this was huge for so many people, providing hope to millions.
His partners were in tears, his family was overwhelmed as his children hit the ring. There were amazing clips of African American wrestlers in tears as fans around the world embraced for what remains one of WWE's greatest ever moments.
8 Seconds...
Ultimately, Kofi Kingston had a great run as WWE Champion, holding the title for 180 days, which is certainly an impressive reign in this modern era. He defended against the likes of Kevin Owens, Dolph Ziggler, and Randy Orton.
However, that all came to a screeching halt when he ran into Brock Lesnar at SmackDown's premiere on Fox. The Beast made short work of Kofi, hitting an F5 immediately to defeat him and end KofiMania once and for all in under 10 seconds.